U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Participants will have opportunities to support various invasive species early detection and rapid response efforts at critical control points in Alaska from ports, borders, urban and remote landscapes. Example projects include inspecting watercraft for invasive zebra and quagga mussels, inspecting international shipments for undeclared or hitchhiking injurious wildlife, surveying for aquatic invasive plants and animals at fly-in lakes, removing terrestrial invasive plants on or adjacent to National Wildlife Refuges, implementing biosecurity practices or tools, and delivering invasive species outreach and education. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide training in inspection and survey protocols, species identification, pathways of spread, safety (bear, firearms, motorboat, aviation), and invasive species legal requirements. Open to other cities and regions of Alaska outside of Anchorage: Field sites vary based on candidate interests and housing availability with duty stations of Anchorage, Fairbanks and Tok plus the potential for shorter assignments at other National Wildlife Refuge stations across Alaska from King Salmon, Kotzebue, Kodiak, Cold Bay and Adak.

ABOUT THE JOB

Duty: Invasive Species Management (Biosecurity)Potential Job Titles: Wildlife Biologist, Biological Technician, Invasive Species Biosecurity Specialist, or Wildlife InspectorThe mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The FWS works to protect the natural world so current and future generations can live with, live from, and find awe in lands, waters, and wildlife. The FWS strives to uphold the values of stewardship, integrity, respect, collaboration, and innovation in every facet of work. Job Family: Community and Social Service, Farming, Fishing, Hunting, Forestry, and Life, Physical and Social Science. MOU Organization: Department of the Interior.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support various invasive species early detection and rapid response efforts at critical control points in Alaska
• Inspect watercraft for invasive zebra and quagga mussels
• Inspect international shipments for undeclared or hitchhiking injurious wildlife
• Survey for aquatic invasive plants and animals at fly-in lakes
• Remove terrestrial invasive plants on or adjacent to National Wildlife Refuges
• Implement biosecurity practices or tools
• Deliver invasive species outreach and education

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to stand for extended periods
• Capability to walk or hike on uneven terrain
• Experience in working in the backcountry
• Ability to fly in small planes
• Skills in packrafting and travel by small boat
• Ability to work in inclement weather and with mosquitoes
• Pass provided bear awareness and safety training
• Pass provided water ditching training if needed

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY

Standing for extended periods, walking or hiking on uneven terrain depending on position. For fieldwork-focused placements: working in the backcountry, flying in small planes (Super Cubs and 185s), packrafting, travel by small boat. Training requirements to pass provided bear awareness and safety training and provided water ditching training if needed. Ability to work in inclement weather plus mosquitos.

TARGET MOCS

All MOCs

ELIGIBLE SERVICE BRANCHES

All Services

BENEFITS

• Training in inspection and survey protocols
• Species identification training
• Pathways of spread education
• Safety training including bear, firearms, motorboat, and aviation
• Invasive species legal requirements education

PROGRAM COST

0

OTHER

Please inquire if you have interest in this opportunity or other options with the USFWS.